Hard Knocks to have 'Hunger Games' tournament

October 17, 2013|By Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel

Hard Knocks will hold its first "Free Combat Day" at its new International Drive location Sunday. It's also planning an adult/hospitality industry version of its popular "Hunger Games" tournament next month.

Hours for free combat will be 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Pointe Orlando. Each participant will have at least three missions at the simulated-warfare attraction, says owner Joe Wheeler.

"The last couple of years that we've done it, we've had a several-hundred-person line for a good, sustained, six, seven hours," Wheeler says.

"It's really typical for people to line up a couple of hours early," Wheeler says.

The adults-only "Hunger Games" tournament will be Nov. 17 at the Pointe Orlando location. It will pit competitors from hospitality and tourism outlets. They will be determined Nov. 10 at the "reaping," as they say in "Hunger Games" circles. A male and female will be select to represent each "district."

"A lot of people do 'Hunger Games' promotions, but there aren't a lot of businesses that can actually have you fight and eliminate people," Wheeler says.

After their Nov. 10 selection, combatants have unlimited free training for a week. Then, on Nov. 17, it's a multiple-round tournament. Hard Knocks has run two "Hunger Games" tournaments for high schoolers. Prizes will be "Hunger Games"-related, including pre-screenings of "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire," premiering Nov. 22.